Originally Posted by
Spod
Been taking photos for over 30 years. How many times have I thought "ooh, if only I'd spent a few quid more on the filter or not had a filter on at all it would have been sharper" ?
That's right. NEVER. EVER. AT ALL. WHATSOEVER.
How many times have I grateful for the filter protecting the lens from a smash? Twice.
2-0.
Unless you're expecting your pics to be put on billboards, stick a filter on. Without fail I get the cheapest (UV or skylight) filter I can buy. The only difference I've ever seen is in the colour, but that's where the computer comes in, easily tweaked. The price of the filter doesn't make a wideangle lens less wide, or a long lens any shorter.
Skylight 1B I've found to be the best, but its personal preference.
Creatively, obey the "rule of thirds" until you have the confidence to break it.
If you've got an entire factory to run around (I WISH!!!), when taking photos think about leading lines (google it) and make sure you allow for the low light (up the ISO, widen the aperture, expose for the dull not the bright - despite what some "experts" might say, and brace youself before shooting).
Love the second photo by the way, makes me think Beatles and 60s.
Question: How many times have I been grateful for a filter protecting my lens from serious damage...?
Answer: Never...!
Question: How many times have I been concerned about a cheap piece of glass corrupting my images...???
Answer: Many...!!!